Out of the 58 bomb-sniffing dogs the Marines have in Afghanistan, only one—a brown-eyed, floppy-eared yellow Lab named Gunner—is suffering from such severe canine post-traumatic stress disorder that he had to sit out the ongoing offensive in central Helmand Province.

“He”s;s the only combat-ineffective dog out here,” says his kennel chief, Cpl. Chad McCoy.

Like their human comrades, some war dogs can handle combat, and some can”t.

via Even His Red Squeak Toy Can’t Get First Sgt. Gunner, USMC, to Fight – WSJ.com.

Despite the confusion, Tarantino said, the VAs staffing bulwark seems to be working – at least for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.With more than 90 percent of this springs roughly 180,000 new claims complete as of March 1, according to the VAs Web site, the spring semester saw only a fraction of the falls hiccups.”Theyve put a Band-Aid on it and theyve stopped the bleeding,” Tarantino said. “But there are still structural problems with the benefit, and theyre going to continue to have to use brute force until they get the processing system online.”

via Returning vets face new battle | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL.

A Vatican source who asked not to be identified said Ehiem had been dismissed from his choir duties. Asked about Balducci, the source said, “It is obvious that, while in prison, he cannot exercise his duties as a papal gentleman.” But, the source noted, Balducci has not been convicted of any charge.”If he is convicted, then we will look into it,” the source said.

via Lawyer: Leak of sex claims against Italian official is shameful – CNN.com.

With duty stations spanning from South Korea to Iraq, Johnson said she’s always served her country – just leave God out of it.

Thirteen years ago, Johnson, 43, founded the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers. What began as three people conversing online has since grown to 1,500 members nationwide.

Johnson, a Copperas Cove resident, went on to create a Fort Hood chapter in 2007 that provides local military atheists with an open forum to socialize, vent and learn from one another.

“If there’s one thing church groups get right is fellowship,” Johnson said. “Everyone wants to be around people who are like them.”

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – A family dog is credited with keeping a little girl safe after she spent the overnight hours Friday in 30-degree temperatures near Cordes Lakes, 36 miles east of Prescott.

via Family dog kept missing 3-year-old girl safe – TODAY People.

After the marriage contract was signed, the ambassador attempted to kiss his bride-to-be. It was only then that he discovered her facial hair and eyes.

via Arab ambassador discovers bride is bearded and cross-eyed behind veil – Telegraph.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the largest organization for veterans of the wars, will host a series of events as a part of their Storm the Hill campaign this week, culminating in Thursday’s release of their legislative agenda for 2010.

via Veterans’ advocates hit the Hill – Marin Cogan – POLITICO.com.

The school is now saying that Frost was not sent home, and that the Colts jersey ban was due to the fact that the school has a uniform dress code that was only relaxed for the Black-and-Gold Day. But Frost and his parents didn’t buy that explanation, and both say the boy was sent home. From WBRZ-2 TV:

“Brandon felt singled out,” said Larry Frost. “I didn’t see where it should be a problem. If everybody else is dressing out of uniform, I think he should be able to wear his.”

Frost is from Indianapolis and moved to Maurepas with his father four years ago. He claims to have one of the best ACT scores in his class and has plans to join the National Guard.

via Louisiana HS student sent home for wearing Colts jersey? – Out of Bounds – NBC Sports.

Maybe they will have Merck day next year, or let students wear the “colors” of the textbook companies.  Argh.

-And she talks about the blood program!

According to the Sunday Times, “A leaked MI5 document says that undercover intelligence officers from the People's Liberation Army and the Ministry of Public Security have also approached UK businessmen at trade fairs and exhibitions with the offer of 'gifts' and 'lavish hospitality.' The gifts — cameras and memory sticks — have been found to contain electronic Trojan bugs which provide the Chinese with remote access to users' computers.”

via Can you trust Chinese computer equipment? | ITworld.